Bhubaneswar: The state government has finally disengaged Panda Infra Pvt. Ltd. from the Bomikhal overbridge project following the death of a construction worker in a retaining wall collapse last Friday here.

This was the second incident of a portion of the overbridge collapsing in a span of eight months.

On May 3, a construction worker died on the spot and another sustained grievous injuries when the retaining wall of the overbridge collapsed on Friday night.

Following the death, the Opposition parties launched a severe attack on the Naveen Patnaik government.

Union Petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan rushed to the accident site and slammed the government for negligence.

As the issue snowballed into a major controversy, secretary, works, Nalinikanta Pradhan, who has been accused of favouring the company, on Monday admitted that it was sheer negligence on the part of the company that led to the accident.

"It was an 'unpardonable crime' committed on part of the Panda Infra Limited as it failed to initiate any step to prevent such accidents after the mishap last year," the minister said.

In September last, a pedestrian was killed and his daughter was severely injured when a slab from the bridge fell on them.

Speaking to reporters, Nalinikanta said: "The chief engineer has been asked to submit a detailed report on the accident. Once he submits his report, we will take further action. He is expected to submit his report in a day or two."

He said: "After the chief engineer submits his report, we will take further action. We are expecting the report in a day or two."

Stating that the project would be completed in the next two to three months, Nalinikanta said: "Only a few work remains to be done," he said.

According to the officials, tender will be floated to complete the project.

"If no contractor comes forward, the government will complete it," the secretary, works, said.

He also said: "Before the bridge is thrown open to the public, a third party will check each component, including safety of the bridge and quality of the work done."

However, the Opposition parties alleged that the move to disengage the company was an eyewash.

"A probe should be ordered into the issue. We have come to know that even the secretary, works, has put his money in the company. All these should be investigated," said former Pradesh Congress Committee president Jaydev Jena.

BJP MLA Pradeep Purohit said: "The company should also be disengaged from other projects that it is undertaking in Jatni and Sambalpur."

"We have information that a ruling party MLA has invested money in the company. It should be examined," Purohit said.